Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that Tayana P. Henderson, a resident of Springfield, has entered a guilty plea for falsifying training certificates needed for obtaining a concealed carry license in Illinois.
Prosecuted by Raoul's office, Henderson, 37, admitted guilt to one Class 3 felony count of forgery and one Class A misdemeanor count for unlawfully violating the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. The sentencing by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John Madonia involves two years of second chance probation and 30 hours of community service. Additionally, Henderson is barred from serving as a certified firearms instructor.
“Preventing gun violence across Illinois includes prosecuting individuals who lie to subvert safety requirements and break state law,” Raoul stated. “I will continue to partner with the Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies across Illinois to keep communities safe by holding such offenders accountable.”
The investigation revealed that Henderson, then an instructor for concealed carry licenses, had issued falsified certificates, alleging that applicants had completed the mandatory 16 hours of training. The Illinois State Police (ISP) were responsible for the investigation.
“Concealed carry license training requirements are explicit, not discretionary, and there for a reason,” commented ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP will fully investigate anytime there is evidence of someone attempting to circumvent Illinois' firearm owners or concealed carry laws.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Steven Knight and Nicole Bartell on behalf of Raoul’s office.